Read and learn all about the fantastic people behind the scenes at the Tutorium. They work very hard to ensure your journey here is a great one. When you see them around campus, say hello. They would love to see you! 

Director

Tell us about yourself. 
I live in Elmhurst, a suburb west of Chicago. My wife is Ashley, and we have three daughters - Addison, Aria, Julia. We also have a new puppy named Cody. I don't have much time for my own hobbies because all three of my daughters play ice hockey so we are busy with their sports, but it is okay because I enjoy watching their practices and games.

What do you do here at the Tutorium? 
I am the Director at UIC Tutorium. I oversee the entire department, but the other members of the team - admin, instructors, staff - keep operations going.

What do you love about your job? 
I love the team I work with. I love that we are helping students learn something they can use daily for academic, professional, and social interactions. It is truly amazing to see a student go from a beginning level of English to a much higher level.

Where can students find you? 
Students can find me in Addams Hall 105. They are free to stop in and say hi, but it is best to email and make an appointment if they want to chat longer.

What is one piece of advice you have for students? 
Go more places in Chicago and the U.S. than just your classrooms and residence. Don't be afraid to go out and use the English you've learned - making mistakes in the real world will only help you acquire English quicker.

Once you find your classroom, make sure you walk around the building and familiarize yourself with the place: you will be spending a lot of time there! In Addams Hall (AH), we have the Tutorium office (AH 105), where you can find the Tutorium front desk—where you can ask questions about anything related to your studies or your life in Chicago. We have classrooms in AH 104 and AH 110. On the second floor of AH, you can find the nearest restroom, the hallway to Taft Hall (TH), and the African American Culture Center (go say hi and admire the art that they usually have there).

It's Labor Day! There are no classes today, Monday, September 1st. Relax and enjoy your day with family and friends. We will see you in class tomorrow, Tuesday, September 2nd.

Email is the official form of communication at UIC. It is very important that you check your emails from UIC on a regular basis.
Emails from the Tutorium (tutorium@uic.edu) and OIS (ois-tie@uic.edu) are especially important. Pay careful attention to emails about your classes, immigration status, and insurance. Check your spam or junk mailbox.

All Tutorium students (new AND continuing) must update their local U.S. address at the beginning of every semester. UIC, OIS, and the Tutorium always need to have your correct address and phone number. Please be sure that you always update your information in the UIC system. Follow these instructions to update your contact information.

Every FALL semester you MUST opt-in (tell them that you want a U-Pass) regardless of your status last semester. Once you opt-in for the fall, you will keep your U-pass status for the spring and summer semesters. However, you must be registered for full-time classes first! 

If you do NOT want a U-Pass, you do not have to do anything! For Fall 2025, the CTA U-PASS is available for any student (undergraduate/professional/graduate) taking six or more credit hours

To find out more information about obtaining a U-Pass or about the new process, read more>>.

Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic with your classmates and teachers. We will play some games and enjoy the weather while it's still nice. We will have hot dogs, chips, and soft drinks!🌭🥤!! 

Are you interested in learning more about what UIC has to offer for students? Did you know that UIC has over 400 student organizations and clubs?  There are sports clubs, fraternities, social clubs, cultural clubs, and more. At the Student Involvement Fair you can explore, ask questions, and discover which club is the best fit for you. This semester’s Student Involvement Fair & Service Expo is happening on September 3rd and 4th from 11am – 3pm at the UH Lawn (near 901 W. Harrison St.). You can stop by the tables and meet student organization leaders, service partners, and departments.

Check out this video from last year’s Student Involvement Fair then grab a friend and go attend the Student Involvement Fair.

The following section of the newsletter is written by Vit Vanicek, one of our teachers here at the Tutorium. With Vit's advice, you're sure to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

So, you found that your teacher is funny and your classmates are nice. You're ready to study. But, as the first day or two pass, there are so many papers to keep, so many files to save, and so many links to click! English is finally happening, but it's all so confusing! To find out how you can have a smooth start to a great learning journey, read more>>.

The following section of the newsletter is written by one of our advisors here at the Tutorium. Our advisors are here to help answer questions and steer you toward the right path for you.

Over 80% of Tutorium students want to continue their education at an American university. The Tutorium is here to help with that process. Tutorium classes teach the skills needed for university level study.

1. Read about the Tutorium pathway to university study.
2. You can read our Advising team's articles with important tips.
3. And, you can meet directly with our Advising team for more help.

Attendance is an important part of successful language learning.  

A successful student

A student is absent if

Your teacher will communicate with you regarding attendance issues.  If your attendance is below 80%, you will be required to have a counseling session with Tutorium administration.  Registration for future classes may not be allowed if your attendance does not improve. Students must be registered to qualify as F-1.

Email questions to tutorium@uic.edu.
Or contact us to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.